DEALS

Swimmers rescued off South Beach

TBO.com staff
Published: May 15, 2014

Two swimmers were rescued off South Beach on Thursday evening after getting caught in rip currents, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.

According to deputies, Abby Woolridge, 21, Isanti, Minn., her brother Roy Morlan, 33, of Seminole, and her boyfriend Jacob Jusczak, 21, Isanti, Minn., went for a swim off South Beach. They went out past the buoys just north of the Johns Pass entrance.

Jusczak was able to return to shore, but Woolridge and Morlan were unable to swim back because of higher-than-normal surf and rip currents. When Jusczak got to shore he flagged someone down for help and asked them to call 911.

Various departments responded to the scene to assist.

Wooldridge was rescued about 200 yards off shore by Madeira Beach Fire Rescue personnel and taken to Don’s Dock. She was treated on scene and then transported to a local hospital as a precaution because she was exhausted and had swallowed water.

Morlan was rescued about 300 yards off shore by Pinellas Suncoast Fire Rescue and brought back to South Beach. He was treated and released at the scene.